as in break
a short period of time when you are able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed
The weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job. a temporary respite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of respite
By Ana Osorno January 15, 2025 These short January days have been bleak so far, but sapphic artists have thankfully been offering us some sweet respite.
—
Ana Osorno, Them, 15 Jan. 2025
The twentieth century’s quenching of fire now looks less like a historic victory than a temporary respite.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
The grim task began during a respite from the powerful Santa Ana winds that whipped the fires into hurricanes of destruction, swiftly engulfing neighborhoods, business districts and mountainside enclaves.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Even in winter, daytime temperatures in Dubai can rise up to 90 degrees making malls a popular respite from the heat.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for respite 
Ana Osorno, Them, 15 Jan. 2025
The twentieth century’s quenching of fire now looks less like a historic victory than a temporary respite.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
The grim task began during a respite from the powerful Santa Ana winds that whipped the fires into hurricanes of destruction, swiftly engulfing neighborhoods, business districts and mountainside enclaves.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Even in winter, daytime temperatures in Dubai can rise up to 90 degrees making malls a popular respite from the heat.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for respite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite
Noun
-
Cool down after workouts, take adequate breaks between training sessions and get enough sleep.—
Dana Santas,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Rising costs:Why Americans paid so much more for health care in 2024 Need a break?—
Sriparna Roy,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
What To Know Friday's execution will be the first in the state following a pause over the Christmas holiday.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The film sees Williams, represented via a CGI monkey, start to reconnect with childhood friends after briefly hitting pause on his solo career.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Their bond feels palpably warm and realistic, a comforting lull that Salles is tempting the audience into.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The beer, spirits and wine industries were already prepared for a continued lull in sales for 2025, then came the U.S. surgeon general's call for cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near respite
Cite this Entry
“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share